Happy making-things time!

Monthly Archives: November 2011

Hello, as promised, some cool links for your holiday shopping. Buying handmade directly from artists and craftspeople helps support those who are earning money by doing what they love, and it is easy to find artists with goods for sale who are working in socially and environmentally conscious ways. I also believe that selecting something handmade or making gifts yourself makes a present so much more special and memorable than anything you may find at a big box store.

First of all, of course I want to let you know what is going on at One True Mango! I have finally stopped felting long enough to put some of my new creations up for sale. I am excited about this new direction, and the colors of the soft merino wool are so delicious. Stephan has new chain maille up for sale as well, which can all be customized to the size of the wearer. We both do custom work, so if you can dream up something you would like that we don’t have posted, we’ll get started on a unique piece for you!

My friend Emmy has a beautiful Etsy shop called RedOrchard. She does colorful work with a pagan sensibility. Her shop includes upcycled items such as clothing and sketchbooks, and I can attest to the quality of her craftsmanship. There’s also silver jewelry to be found here that needs a new home, and if anyone needs a gift for me, I think this felted faerie necklace is the bees’ knees 😉

Jaqui is a phenomenal illustrator. She has been experimenting with a new style lately, here are some of the results. She loves commissions and can work to your specifications. She has tons of gorgeous small bags for sale too, perfect for wrapping your holiday goodies. Her craftsmanship is impeccable and she pays great attention to detail. She also does a lot of erotic and sensual art for members of the furry community, so this link is NOT SAFE FOR WORK.

I have a new etsy buddy, Kori, who is making cute recycled t-shirt boy-cut underwear for girl-shaped people for her etsy shop, La Vie en Orange. There are even gift certificates if you don’t know someone’s size! I love love love what she has done with her shop as of late, it is absolutely an inspiration to get off my butt and make something of my etsy store. I have not tried her products out yet, but I am going to be a fit model for one of her sizes! I’ll let you all know how it goes. She is still looking for fit models for her new larger and smaller sizes, see if you may qualify for a free pair!

Oh my goodness gracious I am so into feltmaking I can hardly breathe. Which is why I didn’t update the blog, oops- sorry. Merino in a million colors, where have you been all my life ?! I want a ROOM for this. My loom can come too. Here are my most recent projects:

Ornaments- I have sent lots to WomanKraft gallery and some have sold! I also have some mirrors and macrame bags there- if you’re in Tucson come check it out. There’s tons of local artists in the current show, all the work there is under $100 for holiday shoppers. I also donated a couple to Bicas for their art auction. Needle-felted mushrooms. Awww. I think I’ll teach this one as a beach craft this year. My family and two other families get together every year for a weekend at the beach and it is absolutely the best time of year. We always do lots of crafts together. Soaps! These smell as good as they look. I handmade the soaps before I felted them and they’re scented with essential oils. Steph says “I didn’t understand felted soap and then I used one and now I want all my soap to be felted!” It’s like a soap and washcloth in one and it keeps things very neat- no soap slime mess getting on your sink or tub. And Nuno Felting! This is the result of my wonderful class with Krystal Greene at Grandma’s Spinning Wheel. I love it! it is wool fibers mingled with silk, and metallic fiber accents. I must learn silk dying like YESTERDAY so I can dye my own silks and make everything in the world. Here’s me modeling and making a goofy face.

I am just getting started. There is so much more you can do with this stuff. Check out the gorgeous elfy clothing made by Feuer Und Wasser on etsy– the colors and detail are amazing.

Next week I’m doing a Holiday Shopping post with links to lots of fun stuff my art buddies have been making. If you want to be included let me know soon please!